Emma Garcia

I knew I was going to love this book when, just a few pages in, it said "I feel my heart snapped like stepped-on ice". At that point in the book, very early on, you feel exactly how the main character (Viv) feels. I love the supporting characters: wise Nan, hilariously blunt Lucy, and ever loyal Max. The feelings for Rob (her on-again, off-again fiancée) go on a roller coaster that eventually end, but you feel so nauseous that you don't want to ride again. Anyway, it was a great read. The show more reader can feel the anxieties, pitfalls, and hope that Viv has throughout the book. show less

The main character in "Never Google Heartbreak is Viv. Viv has dealt with being in a roller coaster relationship with her fiancee Rob for five years. Viv keeps dealing with Rob constantly calling off their wedding and then getting back together with her weeks later. After Rob calls off the wedding again Viv decides she has had enough and moves out. Viv hopes that her moving out will cause Rob to realize that they are meant to be together and he will pull himself together. Fast forward months show more later and Rob has moved on...without Viv. Viv decides the best thing to do to help herself and others is to set up a website that would give tips to others on how to get over being dumped.

You definitely know what you are getting when you read chick lit or romance novels which is why I love them. You get a heroine and a hero hopefully written so well that you can root for them and watch them ride off into the sunset with each other in the end. It can be a bit formulaic in some novels after a while though. We get the above formula in this novel, but I can say I was pleasantly surprised how much I really liked this novel and how well it worked.

I did think that the comparison of this novel to Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones's Diaryare spot on though I laughed more while reading this book then while reading the former novel.

I think that the main character, Viv, is very much a flawed heroine (how I like them) and some of her traits such as selfishness with regards to her grandmother and absorption with Rob make her at times not a great friend. I was a bit disappointed in some of her choices that the character made in this novel but found it very true to life that Viv would act in this way. I do want to say though that I was glad though in the end we had her getting some self-awareness about her life and her friendships.

I also think that Emma Garcia hit upon a cute formula to start each chapter with excerpts from articles or comments from online dealing with relationships, weddings, songs, etc. I am still cracking up about Chapter 14 Family and Friends Quiz which if you select mostly C's the article recommends you seek professional help.

Additionally, having Viv her be a total mess personally but having her life together professionally was a nice change for me to read. Usually we have a heroine in these types of novels that are so-so at work or not professional at all. Watching Viv trying to be a mentor to her dim-witted but lovable colleague Christine cracked me up.

I loved the character of Max (one of Viv's best friends) and thought that Ms. Garcia managed to make him a leaving breathing character along with Viv, Christine, and a few others.

The only character that really did not work for me in this novel was Viv's other best friend, Lucy. I was at a loss of why these two were friends since Lucy would randomly appear and re-appear in the novel and just seemed as absorbed in her own personal life as Viv. I never really got a better understanding of this character and wish that we had more dialogue between her and Viv. That would maybe have helped flesh that character out a bit more. show less

Perfect for a read aloud. Train visits four locations, adding passengers along the way. Explores 4 senses (touch is missing), numbers up to four, different sounds, and repeated phrases. The art is unique and bold. Winner.

I received a copy of OMG Baby! by Emma Garcia in exchange for an honest review.

Max and Viv were best friends who became more than friends in Never Google Heartbreak whose relationship did not work through a series of mishaps. Now they are back together in OMG Baby! with a totally different dilemma - Viv discovers she's pregnant and they can barely look after themselves - how will they take care of a baby! Then to make matters worse, Viv's mother turns up and manipulates her way into staying show more with them and straining everyone's nerves to breaking point. What does she really want? This book was so funny, I think my hubby thought I was losing it. I spite of the frustration of Viv's mom, who was seriously pathetic, I could not help but love this follow up to Never Google Heartbreak! How could anyone not love Max, such a sweetheart and in spite of the mess ups who could not help but root for them. Great characters, great follow up book. show less